There’s a new craze in Los Angeles (and no, it’s not the Clippers). It’s Earl Clark. A player that not many had ever heard of until Denver Nuggets’ head coach George Karl chose him off the bench to shoot free throws when Pau Gasol had to be sent to the locker room (little did Karl know, Earl Clark is an exceptional shooter). Clark admitted that he was a bit insulted that Karl chose him off the bench to shoot free throws, but now we have the Nuggets head coach to thank for bringing Earl Clark to the light after the Lakers big men were all sidelined with injuries.
Mike D’Antoni admitted at practice Monday, that Clark probably would not have been discovered if the Lakers hadn’t accrued so many injuries. As a matter of fact, he was dead last on the list.
“We had to go through the gauntlet of guys and he was last on the list.
Now, Lakers fans aren’t the only ones who are loving the new Lakers sensation.”Eazy” Earl Clark (a nickname he revealed at practice) has proved himself to Mike D’Antoni and the coach is ready to give him a solid place in the rotation.
“He’ll play. I don’t know exactly what we’ll do, but he’s definitely in the rotation.”
Although D’Antoni has been very impressed with Clark, don’t be expecting for him to be taking over Pau Gasol’s starting spot when the Spaniard returns. D’Antoni also made it clear that he has not considered bringing Gasol off the bench. But, after this comment about what’s been the greatest part of his success, something tells me that Clark will be just fine as long as he’s earned a steady spot in the rotation.
“Getting my name called in the starting line up at the Staples Center is a big accomplishment for me and my family and sometimes at night is what you dream about…and it came true…”
“Earlsanity,” however, wasn’t part of his dream come true, and he could do without that nickname, which is currently floating around the Twittersphere.
“A few of you guys call me the sanity thing which I don’t really like…”
Earl’s 25th birthday is coming up this Thursday. Besides a win against the Miami Heat, who they play that night, Clark only has one edible item on his birthday list.
“All I would like is a win and maybe some cake.”
If the Lakers come away with a win against the Miami Heat Thursday night, something tells me there will be plenty more than just cake for Earl Clark.
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